Uphold freedom fighters’ sacrifices says Sata

PRESIDENT Sata yesterday launched the Golden Jubilee celebrations with a call on Zambians not to betray freedom fighters’ sacrifices with narrow and selfish interests.
Speaking to thousands of people at a rally to commemorate the 49 years of Zambia’s independence at Kitwe Playing Fields yesterday, Mr Sata said the nation is blessed to have former President Kenneth Kaunda and other freedom fighters as leaders during the liberation struggle.
Mr Sata said freedom fighters’ vision of a united and prosperous nation must never be betrayed.
“These people were patriotic to the core and sacrificed for our independence. Their sacrifice would be in vain if we betrayed it with narrow and selfish interests. As we approach the Golden Jubilee, we must thank God for His favour and abundant blessings of peace, unity and stability,” Mr Sata said.
“Our country will next year be commemorating 50 years of its independence. We approach this milestone with pride that Zambia continues to enjoy political stability and has embraced democratic principles which have formed the basis for socio-economic transformation for the betterment of the lives of our people.”
Mr Sata also said the greatest challenge which his administration faces now and in the near future is accelerating progress in closing the development gap between rural and urban areas.
He said as custodians of Zambians’ interests, Government will endeavour to improve the lives of people both in rural and urban areas through equitable allocation of resources.
President Sata said this will fulfil his administration’s pledge which states: “The citizens of this land not only deserve better lives but are entitled to better lives.”
He also said Government has embarked on several projects on the Copperbelt which include the construction of 60 kilometres of township roads in Wusakile, Itimpi, Kawama, Chimwemwe, Ndeke, Kwacha, Mindolo, Parklands, Nkana East, Nkana West and Riverside.
He said 80 percent of the works have been completed so far.
Mr Sata said Government is working on approximately 506 kilometres of roads on the Copperbelt, which include the Ndola-Kitwe and the Kitwe-Chingola dual carriageways.
He said these two major projects have created over 1,600 jobs.
Other works being undertaken on the Copperbelt are the rehabilitation of selected urban roads in Chingola, Ndola and Kitwe, the rehabilitation of Kalulushi-Sabina road, upgrading of Kalulushi M7 to Lufwanyama.
Others are the upgrading of Indeni-Fatima road, the maintenance of Chingola-Solwezi road, construction of 57 low cost houses, 200 pit latrines and 1.5 kilometres of access roads in Mufuchani in Kitwe.
President Sata said the upgrading of infrastructure at Mukuba University College has commenced.
“These measures will broaden opportunities of access to university education and help decongest the Copperbelt University,” Mr Sata said.
He also said the government has commenced the modernisation and upgrading of Ndola and Kitwe Central hospitals by installing specialised equipment to ensure that people are provided with quality health care.
Mr Sata reaffirmed his government’s determination to create a better Zambia for all in line with the Patriotic Front (PF) manifesto.
He said this is the basis on which the PF was elected into office.
“We commit to transform the country by providing inspirational and visionary leadership to the nation and promoting inclusive governance,” Mr Sata said.
He advised councillors, members of Parliament and provincial leaders to inform Zambians about development projects that Government is undertaking.
“If you don’t stand up and tell the people, they will continue insulting us that the PF is not doing anything. How can you be a councillor and we are doing roads in your area and you keep quiet?” Mr Sata said.
The President said he was not surprised that some people were making noise at the function because he was informed that the UPND provincial chairman had organised people to disrupt the event.
“Let me also remind all of you that since October is a month of cancer, we must take care of our health by adopting practical interventions towards cancer awareness and prevention,” Mr Sata said.